Crime still at an all-time low Writer De Waal Steyn
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verall crime levels in the Overstrand are still much lower than before the national lockdown began. In fact, we have never had so little crime in the area in years,” said Brig Donovan Heilbron, SAPS Cluster Commander for the Overberg. According to him there has been a significant drop in all types of crime across the Overberg. “Apart from the normal crime numbers being down, we have also seen a decrease in the number of people breaking lockdown regulations. There are two reasons for this. The first is the fact that there are more freedoms under Level 4 restrictions and the second is that people are becoming more compliant with the rules and regulations.” During the first few weeks, fines in excess of R250 000 per day were recorded in the Overstrand due to people not complying with the harsh restrictions. “What we have found is that as infection numbers rise, community members become more and more aware of the seriousness of the situation and are therefore more reluctant to break the regulations,” Heilbron said. “We need people to realise that compliance needs to be the new way of living.” A major cause for concern is still people walking around aimlessly during the day. “Many people will walk up and down and when stopped they will claim that they are on their way to the shops. This has serious consequences as the aim of the lockdown is to restrict movement and therefore the spread of the virus.”
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20 May 2020
In response to the large number of complaints received daily about people who are out in public without face masks, Heilbron said that at this stage it is not a criminal offence. “We need to be realistic and know that many people simply cannot afford a mask. All we can do at the moment, if somebody is seen not wearing a mask, is to ask them in a friendly manner to please wear one for their own safety and the safety of those around them.” Hermanus Public Protection (HPP) Director of Operations, Barry van Vuren said although the number of crimes was very low during the first phase of the lockdown, there has recently been an increase in the number of cases reported to them. “While crime numbers initially went down, the opportunities for crime have increased as people are allowed to move around more freely. There has been a number of reported cases of theft, attempted robbery and robbery, and the numbers vary from suburb to suburb.” Van Vuren said the CCTV cameras operated by HPP play a huge role in crime prevention and the ability of HPP to take action. “We see a lot of movement of people, especially in the CBD, and with the help of the cameras we can act proactively by informing our guards of any suspicious activities,” he said. According to him only a small number of businesses have been targeted by the SAPS for illegal trading or breaking lockdown regulations. “Mostly businesses are sticking to the rules and we want to thank them for that.” It was reported on social media over the last few weeks that
at least two businesses were busted for selling cigarettes. And while the ban on the sales of cigarettes and tobacco products remains in effect, a study by the University of Cape Town (UCT) has revealed that around 90% of smokers have continued buying tobacco products – albeit from different sources than where they would normally buy. The study also found that 46% were unable to buy their normal brand. The UCT survey, conducted by the Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products between 29 April and 11 May, showed that the purchasing environment has changed dramatically during the lockdown. Whereas before, 56% of smokers purchased their cigarettes from formal retailers, after the lockdown was imposed, only 3% of smokers were able to buy cigarettes from these retailers, while the percentage of smokers who purchased from spaza shops and the house shops increased. The study also found that sales outlets that either did not exist, or were inconsequential before the lockdown, became an important source of cigarettes. Around 26% of smokers started buying cigarettes from street vendors, 30% purchased from friends and family, while 11% found cigarettes on WhatsApp groups, and "essential worker" acquaintances provided cigarettes to 10% of smokers. "While the original intention of the ban was to support public health, the current disadvantages of the ban may well outweigh the advantages. Smokers are buying cigarettes in large quantities, despite the lockdown, and unusual brands are becoming prevalent," the research unit said.
Be wise with your water usage Writer De Waal Steyn
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verstrand Municipality has made a call on Hermanus residents to use water wisely and sparingly, as the diminishing levels of the De Bos Dam are a cause for concern. The De Bos Dam level was at 38.1% by the end of April 2020, compared to 41.5% at the same time last year and 38.8% at the end of April 2018. Hermanus had 14.5 mm of rain during April 2020, which brings the total rainfall for the year to date to 133.4 mm, compared to the long-term average of 144.1 mm for the period January to April.
applicable until the De Bos Dam has reached a level of at least 70%. The first level of water-restriction tariffs will be applied to the administrative area of Hermanus only, in other words to all residential areas from Benguela Cove through Fisherhaven to Voëlklip.
According to Johan Montgomery, viticulturist at Hamilton Russell Vineyards, they received just over 20 mm of rain during April, which makes this the driest April in 22 years.
“Kindly note that water restrictions are in place of necessity to discourage excessive water use and to preserve the water level of the dam. This leads to lower water consumption and does not generate additional income for the municipality,” according to the statement.
“It is not panic stations yet and we are looking forward to the rain predicted for this weekend. We need good rains then, with ample to follow during the rainy season,” he said.
Other administrative areas within the Overstrand are not affected by these measures since they still have sufficient water resources.
Long-term weather predictions indicate late winter rains in the Western Cape with a strong possibility of the early arrival of spring. Montgomery said wine farmers need a cold winter with temperatures under 10˚C in order for the vines to rest before they start blooming.
The Buffels River Dam, which supplies water to Rooiels, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay is still above 90% of capacity, and the Kraaibosch Dam near Gansbaai and the Pearly Beach Dam are above 80%.
The municipality stated in a press release that the average daily water consumption in Hermanus during April 2020 was 10.52 million litres per day, compared to 10.89 million litres per day during April 2019 – 3.4 % lower than last year. Apart from the 10 boreholes that supply water to the town, the De Bos Dam is Hermanus’s main water source. “The 10 boreholes are being used optimally and have contributed significantly to the preservation of the De Bos Dam level. A total of 35.5 % of the water demand In April 2020 was supplied from the boreholes,” the municipality said. Two new boreholes have been drilled and are set to be commissioned during August. The project to connect the boreholes to the bulk water supply network will start this month. “Residents in the Hermanus area are reminded that Level 2 water restrictions are still
The boreholes supplying Stanford, Baardskeerdersbos and Buffeljagsbaai have not been adversely affected by the drought at this stage. Here are the amended Level 2 water restrictions for Hermanus:
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The use of irrigation systems and hose pipes are allowed when watering gardens, but remember, only for one hour per day, once a week. The day per week is determined in accordance with street numbers. For residents with even numbers, it is Wednesday ONLY, and for those with uneven numbers, Tuesday ONLY. Please water gardens before 09:00 or after 17:00 on these stipulated days. Washing of vehicles and hard surfaces with a hose pipe using municipal water is still not allowed. Vehicles may only be washed using a bucket. Swimming pools may be filled with municipal water.
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